Tesco is facing Britain's largest ever equal pay claim and a possible compensation bill of up to 4 billion pounds (C$7 billion), according to a law firm which has begun legal proceedings. It comes as a campaign for equal pay grows in the U.K.

Workers at Nova Scotia’s Comeau’s Sea Foods join UFCW defence fund

United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) Local 864 members working at Comeau’s Sea Foods in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia voted to join the union’s National Defence Fund (NDF) July 10.

The 70 members at Comeau’s work as fishermen for one of Canada’s leading seafood harvesting, processing, and distribution companies. They joined the NDF to gain the protections of Canada’s leading strike and lockout resource, said the union.

Established more than 30 years ago, the NDF ensures in the event of a strike or lockout, bargaining units that subscribe to the fund have the financial and logistical resources needed to fight tough employers, according to UFCW.

The NDF also provides members with additional strike benefits, on top of their regular strike pay. Employers know that members of the NDF have extra strength to take on a strike or lockout, if required, in order to achieve a fair agreement, said the union.

"This smart and strategic move by the members at Comeau’s will put them in an even stronger position in future negotiations with their employer,” said Shauna Doyle UFCW Local 864 president.